We commend the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Peace and Security on 30 June 2015.

This is an important signal of the Government’s commitment to work whole heartedly on the advancement of women’s rights. The Plan outlines work on women’s participation in the peace process as well as four pillars regarding participation, protection, prevention and relief and recovery.

Peace Process

We believe that in all peace negotiations that have been carried out throughout the world, the negotiations where women took active part have reached the best results and enhanced the highest rate of success in achieving lasting peace. Therefore, women must have a role in the peace process in Afghanistan. It will strengthen the achievements on human rights and women’s rights of the past decade but also demonstrate in practice the Government’s pledges to ensure equality between men and women in accordance with article 22 of the Constitution.

Participation

A half of all Afghans are women. Their potential should be used to the benefit of the whole Afghan society system has made significant progress and these achievements should be sustained. The Government must do its utmost to guarantee that girls can go to school.

Protection

We are seriously concerned of the gravity of physical and sexual violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. We urge the Government of Afghanistan to take additional actions to protect women and girls from violence. Furthermore, we all have to endeavour for a change of mind-set and attitudes, where women and girls are no longer looked upon as a commodity, who can be bought and sold, who can be used as payment to solve conflicts (BAAD), or where women and girls can be exchanged between families (BADAL). Increasing awareness on these issues among both men and women is crucial.

We commend the Government of Afghanistan’s promise to fully implement the Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women (EVAW). It’s especially important that women have access to justice and legal services in cases of sexual violence. For these reasons, there must be Family Response Units and EVAW Prosecution units in all provinces of Afghanistan. Girls and women who have experienced sexual violence should be treated as victims and be provided with counselling, psychosocial and medical aid. A victim of violence should never have to face the risk of being accused of adultery or running away (Zina).

Prevention

Too often perpetrators of violence against women go free. A culture of impunity is detrimental to any society and will only result in preventing progress. As a consequence women and girls are at risk and, therefore, prevented from going to school, health clinics, and market or to do their job. From an economic point of view, this is unsustainable and locks countless Afghan families into poverty. Studies again and again underline that when women gain income the whole family benefits – especially the children – so economic empowerment of women is also key element for the well-being of all Afghans.

Relief and recovery

In any crisis and conflict situation, the vulnerable groups suffer the most. The National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security has outlined strategic objectives for relief and recovery for women in emergency. Furthermore the plan has been put together through a country wide process. We firmly believe that the provinces have a fundamental role in implementing the National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security. We urge the Government to put on the working gloves and start implementing its visions to the benefit of the Afghan people. We stand ready to support the effort.  

View expressed in this article are of the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok’s editorial policy.

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